LONG BLOG
Weekly Dtoid #1 (15-21 September, 2014)
Let's begin with some introductory malarkey. Yay!
I've decided to do this weekly recap series after the good-ol' talking with Barry Kelly. He had a fair share of points to the whole “journalists should take initiatve in covering less-known games” topic. So, I thought, if the site needs them moneys for covering AAA-projects to get by, then why we, community, couldn't help managing some of the game coverage by ourselves? Destructoid has wonderful community and no matter what you think about the site itself, these guys get their share of gratitude for making all this happen. So, let's celebrate video games, Destructoid and you, pimps and playas, by helping each other finding great games and making it one swell tradition.
Some rules, concerning the list:
1. No “Early Access” stuff. Only finished products (and yes, broken-on-release games destined to be patched kinda count, too).
2. No DLCs, unless they could be considered “addons”. So, yep – no Dead or Alive costumes coverages, you adorable fapping nerds you.
3. Previous week's games only. That way, we could have some time to weight on our experiences and let the hype train rush past our station.
4. No Japan releases, sadly. For two reasons: firstly, Japanese isn't one of my strong suits; and secondly – you wouldn't want to get teased by funky games that we may get but probably wouldn't (for various reasons, including “Eff' you, West!”), right?
5. Underlooked stuff is top priority. I'm not completely unbiased, but I do know when some game gets a lot of attention and when it doesn't. However, that doesn't mean I will skip big releases. Just not gloss over them so intensively.
So, without further ado, hop on and ride along!
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Uncle's Personal Picks
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (Xbox One)
Developer: Access Games
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Hidetaka Suehiro aka "Swery65", creator of cult mind-bending hit Deadly Premonition, is back in business with this tense Kinect-friendly episodic adventure that involves time-travelling, deliciously bad puns and fights with your local catgirl. Destructoid's own Chris Carter wrote a d-licious review about it, praising the game's weird yet incredibly comforting and captivating nature. Long story short, look for the D. It really worth it.
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Roundabout (PC)
Developer: No Goblin
Publisher: No Goblin
Follow the adventures of Georgio Manos, arguably the world's most famous revolving chauffeur, in this self-published, Kuru Kuru Kururin-inspired driving-puzzle b-movie fest from the people who know everything about cheesiness and fun (new-born studio is founded by designers of such gems, as Destroy All Humans! and The Gunstringer).
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Endless Legend (PC)
Developer: AMPLITUDE Studios
Publisher: AMPLITUDE Studios
Gorgeous 4X-styled turn-based strategy game (think of Civilization for fantasy buffs, only with slightly enchanced mechanics) from the creators of Endless Space. Achieved with Unity engine and powered by amazingly beautiful art-style, game runs smoothly and looks magnificent. It may sound like your typical fantasy, but even if it is, it's one of a kind spirit-wise.
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The Notable Stuff
Wasteland 2 (PC)
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Publisher: inXile Entertainment
The official sequel to 1988's post-apocalyptic RPG Wasteland (legendary Fallout was its spiritual successor) under direction of its original creator, Brian Fargo. Kickstarter darling, rough around the edges, yet lovingly crafted tactical RPG. They rarely do them like that these days, so if you're into deep role-playing experiences, you shouldn't even think about missing it.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (3DS)
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Square Enix
Reviewed by Chris Carter
Final Fantasy's beats return to your handheld! Met with huge both critical and gamers' acclaim, the latest entry in Theatrhythm series masterfully plays on your nostalgia notes. It's sweet, it's tender, it's a must-have for fans.
Murasaki Baby (Vita)
Developer: Ovosonico
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
This lovely short tale, set in the world of fantasies and fears, may not be the best reason to buy Vita, but with Akira Yamaoka's song to boot, this somewhat short, yet strangely cute gothic-styled platformer could keep you satisfied for a few hours.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Developer: CyberConnect2
Publisher: Bandai Namco Games
Another entry in ever-growing Naruto franchise. CyberConnect may missed their mark this time, but it's still serviceable and enjoyable fighting, nonetheless. Studio Pierrot once again helms animated cutscenes, so it will be beautiful to look at, at the very least.
Fairy Fencer F (PS3)
Developer: Compile Heart
Publisher: NIS America
If you crave for a new JRPG, Nippon Ichi got you covered. Fairy Fencer F (from developers of Hyperdimension Neptunia) is perfectly adequate addition to your library.
ArcheAge (PC)
Developer: XL Games
Publisher: Trion Worlds
Korean MMORPG brought to you by the former developer of Lineage. I don't really know what to make of it. It sure looks good on MMO terms, but servers are currently crying with agony, so feedback is mostly negative. Here's some gameplay, though.
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Also, on this week:
Final Fantasy IV (remake) - get it now on Steam, it's classic, dawg!
Total War: Rome II - enjoy more AI-stupidity (seriously though, they're trying to fix it), now on Mac;
Goat Simulator on iOS, Android - people sure like goats;
Tropico 5 - become nation's favourite dictator, now on Mac and Linux;
Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetit! - another Cooking Mama on 3DS;
Elminage Gothic - port of Japanese Wizardy-style dungeon crawler from PSP to PC;
Age of Empires: Castle Siege - your personal Free-to-play AoE (if you ever needed one) on PC and iPhones.
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That's all for this week, folks! If you enjoyed this weekly piece or have some interesting critique in its address, please feel free to give me feedback. I'll vastly appreciate it, as I want to know if weekly project like this is needed to be continued.
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About Uncle Terrorone of us since 11:53 PM on 08.16.2014
You see, boys 'n girls, the thing is... the internet doesn't stay in one place all day long. It's constantly moving around like some transcendental hobo with a terrifying tendency to shoot cute kittens doing cute business. And while old habits die hard, the internet is changing just like Bruce Willis and them other living fellas.
Now, I'm finally getting to the point I'm so desperately trying to drive home in time for supper. I may not be Uncle and I may not be Terror, but the person behind the name is still 99,5% good ol' Uncle Terror. Where the other half percent, you may or may not ask? I heard it went out for cigarettes and never came back, but it doesn't matter now, does it? What matters is in the now, with you and me, right here.
Life is Beautiful, ain't it?
